Quote:

Time also has a way of smoothing over the rough parts as in your 20+ year experience

That was part of the problem. After a trip when I swore never again, there would be a cooling off period and then they'd start the pitch for the next trip that would be "different".
Didn't happen and your right, you can choose whether to be irritated or not.
After 20+ years, I skipped the irritated part and just cut all the ties period.
Never regretted doing it and mutual friends tell me they've never taken a wilderness trip again.
I guess they knew someone had to plan and organize for one, and they knew it wouldn't be one of them. ::)